In the Limelight: Our Kayleigh

When did you start at innocent? 

2nd July 2019, the day after I got back from Glastonbury! 

What’s your role here at innocent? 

I am just starting a new role as UK&I Category Development Lead.   

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

I wanted to work with whales & dolphins so my parents suggested I should become a marine biologist. But then I used to love the TV programme “Changing Rooms” so then I switched to interior designer. 

If you had to explain what you do to a 10-year old, what would you say? Asking for a friend. 

Working with our customers, coming up with ways to keep the nation buying more juices & smoothies each year, helping more people get their 5 a day. And making sure that innocent is leading the way.

What’s been your innocent career highlight? 

 It’s got to be the moment we became the #1 chilled juice branded supplier in the UK. To be alongside brands that have been around forever, known and loved by many, it was an amazing milestone to celebrate recognising that our UK drinkers really love what innocent is all about.  

What’s the best thing you’ve learnt whilst working here? 

That there are 13 known people to have the innocent dude (our logo) tattooed on themselves!

Are there any affinity groups, clubs, schemes, or any other ongoing activities you’re a part of? 

I regularly try to make the most of our lunch & learns and speakers that are organised for us; from learning how best to manage parents returning from parental leave, to how to support those going through grief in the workplace. These are such helpful resources that you don’t get everywhere else. 

If you were a piece of stationery, what would you be? 

A grape-scented gel pen, used to be my absolute fav. 

In your role, how do you balance what’s right for the customer, drinker, and innocent? 

By understanding drinker needs and behaviours to inform plans that we then take to customers, which helps them better serve our drinkers. It helps them sell even more juice & smoothies to grow their sales and ensures that innocent is a part of the solution.

A triple win for us, the customer, and you lot.

What’s some advice you’d give someone who isn’t too sure where they want to take their career? 

Be open to unexpected opportunities. By thinking about what you want to get out of your career, as opposed to anchoring to specific roles/titles, you may discover that there are more opportunities out there for you than you previously thought. 

What value do you think is the most important for a great manager to have and why? 

Trust. When a manager trusts you, you are empowered to find your own way, and develop your individuality, self-confidence and personal leadership which will get the very best out of you. So do everything that you can to foster trust with your manager, as remember it’s a two-way street. 

Last question. What's one bit of advice you'd give yourself when you were little? 

Find what makes you happy and do loads of it! 

Or…say no to that free haircut when you turn 18.